Export diversification and growth data

 The dataset was utilised to examine the impact of export diversification  on economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 43 countries over a  period of 19 years were taken into account. The research hypothesis for this study is: Export concentration  constrains economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa.  The data for macroeconomic variables considered in the study were drawn  from the World Development Indicators' database. Then data for measuring  the extent of export diversification were drawn from the International  Monetary Funds' Herfindahl-Hirschman Index database. Lastly, data to  measure the quality of governance were drawn from the Worldwide  Governance Indicators' database.  The study measured the log of GDP per capita growth as the dependent  variable- and export diversification and,  governance index (index of the six components of governance), foreign  direct investment, domestic investment as the main explanatory variables  - whereas trade policy, trade openness were included as control  variables. Furthermore, the study tested for  a u-shaped pattern   between export diversification and economic growth in the region and  thus an additional variable was included InExDsq to achieve this  objective. The results suggest that export diversification is  still low in  Sub-Saharan Africa and consequently impact negatively on economic growth  in the region. This is evidenced by the negative coefficient of export  diversification.